Trailer hitch for 300 TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tree Frog · #1 05-08-2015, 11:17 AM

Friends, I've got a 1985 300 TD. Great car. I'm exploring installing a trailer hitch to install a bike rack and/or pull a light trailer...emphasis on light.

There is no hitch installed at this time.

Could anyone recommend a course of action? Thanks in advance.

Maxbumpo · #2 05-08-2015, 11:20 AM

Curt makes a class 1 for $550.

Tree Frog · #3 05-08-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxbumpo

Curt makes a class 1 for $550.

Thanks. I was hoping for something a little cheaper...that's 1/3 the cost of the car...lol

Diesel911 · #4 05-08-2015, 11:28 AM

This is from My notes not a comment by me.

The below site is not directly for your year and model. Go to the home page and do a search for your year and model.
Curt Trailer Hitch for Mercedes-Benz 300D 1984 - 11614

w123 300TD hitch question
I also have a TD and have searched for a hitch in the US with no luck. I have found new hitches from a company in England, and Bosal in Germany. Oris and (I think) Bosal were OEM suppliers for Mercedes.
I have seen a few used ones on eBay Germany, and a new one manufactured by Starr. None of them have detachable balls. The TD hitches are unique and can not interchange with the sedan or coupe. I have seen two different capacities of 1500 & 1900 kilos with a tongue weight of 75 kilos.
From what I have gathered, the electrical is also somewhat complicated and you are better off to get the correct wiring set for your car.
Here is a link to one for sale on the Dutch W123 site. He is asking 100 Euros + shipping & handling
My wagon has a Da'Lan class II, square tube receiver hitch which was on the car when I bought it. I believe that the unit bolts under the bumper brackets and to the subframe stampings on each side of the fuel tank.

Maxbumpo · #5 05-08-2015, 11:47 AM

Buy a welder, make your own?

There is a Hopkins active wiring adapter kit, about $40 on Amazon, to provide a flat 4-connector wiring connection for a trailer. MB and other furrin' cars have separate brake and turn signal bulbs, while all US trailer wiring has combined brake/turn signal. If you own your trailer, you can custom wire with two lights per side and keep separate turn and brake.

ROLLGUY · #6 05-08-2015, 11:51 AM

One of my projects is to fabricate and make available hitches for the 123, and 126. The problem with all the commercially available hitches is that they use the smaller receiver. Most accessories use a 2" receiver. My design will be "knock down", and will be easily shippable. It will also have a 2" receiver tube. I am sure the reason why a 2" receiver is not available, is because of the chance of overloading it (liability). Even though there are adapters, having a 2" receiver is much more convenient. This project has been on my mind for sometime, and I need to get started on it soon. The weather has slowed me down, but it will warm up soon and I can get some of the projects started/finished that I have been putting off!

charmalu · #7 05-08-2015, 11:53 AM

Over the years there have been a lot of threads on installing a Hitch on the W123 Sedan and the Wagon.

I did a Google search and came up with this.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mercedes+w123+300TD+wagon+trailer+hitch,+peachparts.&biw=985&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=jttMVb-uD4PjuQTX8oGwBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1.3

Charlie

panZZer · #8 05-08-2015, 03:59 PM

what most people don't realize about making their own.......
they want to put the load on the aluminum battering ram rear bumper--thinking it can take it,
if you look up under it its held to its brackets by two 3/4 aluminum lips on top and bottom of the rubber cushion that's inserted in the pocket, and those lips often fail with NO weight being pressed down, Just from random bumping into a parking lot wall etc. you try carring a trailer or whatever with the load on the American rear, you are asking for trouble--and it could be fatal to some motorist behind you.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/280370-large-300d-300cd-parts-post-10.html

sassparilla_kid · #9 05-08-2015, 04:18 PM

Trailer Hitch for 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT | etrailer.com

Skid Row Joe · #10 05-08-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

One of my projects is to fabricate and make available hitches for the 123, and 126. The problem with all the commercially available hitches is that they use the smaller receiver. Most accessories use a 2" receiver. My design will be "knock down", and will be easily shippable. It will also have a 2" receiver tube. I am sure the reason why a 2" receiver is not available, is because of the chance of overloading it (liability). Even though there are adapters, having a 2" receiver is much more convenient. This project has been on my mind for sometime, and I need to get started on it soon. The weather has slowed me down, but it will warm up soon and I can get some of the projects started/finished that I have been putting off!

Rich, I had a ready to hitch receiver ball install done on my W126 300SD almost 25 years ago. The shop attached it to the storage well with about 8 bolts. I wish I had taken pics of the install but it never crossed my mind. It was for a single axle U HAUL trailer that I hauled my Cub Cadet lawn tractor to Texas enclosed. I'm sure it ran #2,500 or so. I was fortunate the 1,000 mile trip went safely. The hitch ball and install ran about $125.00 as I recall.

Skid Row Joe · #11 05-09-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

One of my projects is to fabricate and make available hitches for the 123, and 126. The problem with all the commercially available hitches is that they use the smaller receiver. Most accessories use a 2" receiver. My design will be "knock down", and will be easily shippable. It will also have a 2" receiver tube. I am sure the reason why a 2" receiver is not available, is because of the chance of overloading it (liability). Even though there are adapters, having a 2" receiver is much more convenient. This project has been on my mind for sometime, and I need to get started on it soon. The weather has slowed me down, but it will warm up soon and I can get some of the projects started/finished that I have been putting off!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Rich, I had a ready to hitch receiver ball install done on my W126 300SD almost 25 years ago. The shop attached it to the storage well with about 8 bolts. I wish I had taken pics of the install but it never crossed my mind. It was for a single axle U HAUL trailer that I hauled my Cub Cadet lawn tractor to Texas enclosed. I'm sure it ran #2,500 or so. I was fortunate the 1,000 mile trip went safely. The hitch ball and install ran about $125.00 as I recall.

RICH,
If you're serious about this W123/W126 trailer hitch design and attachments, I'll try to locate my old 83 300SD and get a photo or two of the assembly for you.

GregMN · #12 05-09-2015, 06:15 PM

This design for the W126 should work on a W123 with adjustments for dimensions between the bumper mounts. I stole the design from a W123 wagon hitch that I saw.

W126 Trailer hitch

The last post on the second page has PDF's.

It will handle a good size load: Towing an SEC with and SDL

Maxbumpo · #13 05-11-2015, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassparilla_kid

Trailer Hitch for 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT | etrailer.com

That's a much nicer price! $305, free shipping. Rated for 2000 lbs.